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Celyad Reports 2016 Financial and Operating Results and Expected Key Milestones for 2017

First clinical trial of CAR-T NKR-2 cell therapy completed with encouraging safety profile and unexpected signals of clinical activity at the low doses tested.

Strong cash position expected to fund operations until mid-2019.

Key 2016 Highlights

  • Completion of first CAR-T NKR-2 Phase I trial, confirming safety of CAR-T NKR-2 cells but also reporting unexpected clinical activity in patients suffering from AML and MM.
  • Signature of strategic collaboration agreements with ONO Pharmaceuticals and Institut Curie to support development of immuno-oncology programs.
  • Approval from Belgian regulatory authorities to start THINK Phase I trial in Belgium.
  • Release of CHART-1 data 9-month primary endpoint. Results for the CHART-1 European Phase III clinical trial evaluating C-Cure® cell therapy did not meet the primary endpoint
  • Strong cash position: EUR 82.6 million as of 31 December 2016.

Expected 2017 Milestones

  • Initiation of THINK trial (USA) in Q1 2017.
  • Initiation of SHRINK study (US/EU) in Q2 2017.
  • Initiation of LINK study (EU) in Q3 2017.
  • THINK dose-escalation results expected in Q4 2017.

MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT, Belgium, March 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celyad (Euronext Brussels:CYAD) (Paris:CYAD) (NASDAQ:CYAD), a leader in the discovery and development of engineered cell therapies, with clinical programs in immuno-oncology, today provides an update on its recent operations and reported consolidated financial results for the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2016, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Commenting on the 2016 results, Christian Homsy, CEO of Celyad, said: “2016 has been a challenging year in which our CAR-T portfolio has continued to develop, with the company building its expertise in the field of immuno-oncology, and one in which we transitioned from a focus on cardiology to being one of the most promising prospects in the field of next generation CAR-T cells.

Conference Call Details
A conference call will be held on Thursday, 23 March 2017 at 2:00 p.m. CET / 8:00am EST
to review the financial results. Christian Homsy, Chief Executive Officer, and Patrick Jeanmart, Chief Financial Officer will deliver a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Joining the Conference Call:

1. In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, call the appropriate participant dial-in number.

  • Standard International Dial-In Number: +44 (0) 1452 560304
  • Local Call Dial-In Numbers: 
• Belgium 024017052
• France 0170700785
• UK 08448719299
• Netherlands 0207133453
• US 16316215256
   

2. Provide the operator with the conference ID 87117681

Helpful keypad commands: *0 - Operator assistance.


2016 Financial and Operating Results

Celyad successfully completed the CM-CS1 trial, the first clinical trial using CAR-T NKR-2 cells in relapse refractory patients suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Multiple Myeloma (MM). No safety issues were reported and first unexpected signs of clinical activity were observed in both AML and MM patients, despite the low doses infused.

Celyad has a comfortable cash position at year end 2016 with more than EUR 82 million in treasury due to a successful NASDAQ IPO in June 2015. This should enable the Company to finance all its clinical programs and other needs until mid-2019.

Here are the operational and financial highlights of 2016 identified by the Board:

Clinical Developments in Oncology

  • In March, Celyad substantially strengthened its allogeneic intellectual property portfolio with the granting by the USPTO of the US Patent No 9,273,283. This patent provides Celyad with broad protection for its proprietary method of producing allogeneic human T-cells that are engineered to be T-Cell Receptor (TCR)-deficient and express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR).
  • Also in March, the company signed strategic collaboration agreement with Institut Curie’s Immunity Cancer Unit (in France) for the development of the immuno-oncology program. The partnership will build on Institut Curie’s first-in-class expertise and state-of-the-art translational, preclinical and clinical know-how in cancer biology and immunology.
  • In July, Celyad announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with leading Japanese immuno-oncology company, ONO Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., for the development and commercialization of Celyad’s allogeneic CAR-T NKR-2 immunotherapy in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Celyad also granted to ONO an exclusive option to license its autologous NKR-2 T cell product in the above ONO territories. Total deal value of up to 31.325 JPYB (€282 million or $311.5 million) plus double digit royalties on net sales in ONO territories.
  • In September, the company completed the CAR-T NKR-2 Phase I trial with successful safety follow-up of all the dose level cohorts. No safety or toxicity issues were reported after the 21-day safety follow-up of the last patient enrolled in the fourth dose level cohort in its Phase I clinical trial – a study evaluating the safety and feasibility of its CAR-T NKR-2 cell therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma patients. The Phase I trial data (presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology) demonstrated the drug to be safe and well tolerated at the highest dose level tested to date (3x107). It also shows early signals of efficacy, including prolonged survival in both Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients.
  • In November, the Belgian Regulatory Authorities approved the initiation of the THINK trial in Belgium. THINK (THerapeutic Immunotherapy with NKR-2) is a multinational open-label Phase I study aimed to assess the safety and clinical activity of multiple administrations of autologous NKR-2 T-cells in seven refractory cancers including five solid tumors (colorectal, ovarian, bladder, triple-negative breast and pancreatic cancers) and two hematological tumors (Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma).

Clinical Developments in Cardiology – C-Cure®

  • In June, we reported the CHART-1 9-month primary endpoint data release. Results for the CHART-1 European Phase III clinical trial evaluating C-Cure® cell therapy did not meet the primary endpoint. However, a statistically significant trend was observed in a subset representing 60% of the population of the CHART-1 study (baseline End Diastolic Volume (EDV) segmentation) for which primary endpoint was met (p=0.015).

Corporate

  • Appointment of ten leading international immuno-oncology experts to the Scientific Advisory Board of the Company, as well as senior executives and directors in Belgium and in the U.S. to strengthen the Group managing bodies.
  • Resignation of Prof. William Wijns and Mr. Danny Wong from Celyad’s Board of Directors.

Finance

  • ONO Pharmaceutical total deal value of up to 31.325 JPY B (€282 million or $311.5 million) plus double digit royalties on net sales in ONO territories (Japan, Korea and Taiwan).
  • Cash and short term deposit of €82.6 million as of 31 December 2016.

Highlights of 2017

The momentum generated by Celyad’s progress during 2016 has carried through into the start of 2017. Most notably, the Company has reported the following highlights regarding its strong IP position in immuno oncology:

  • USPTO decided to uphold Celyad’s U.S. Patent (No. 9,181,527), relating to allogeneic human primary T-cells that are engineered to be TCR-deficient and express a CAR. Celyad’s U.S. patent (No. 9,181,527), and more precisely claim 1 of the said patent, was challenged by an anonymous third party through an Ex Parte Re-examination procedure. The request for Ex Parte re-examination was filed on February 10th, 2016 and an order granting Ex Parte Re-examination of claim 1 was issued by the USPTO on March 24th, 2016. The final decision of this Ex Parte procedure that was issued on January 6th,2017 is not subject to appeal and upholds the validity of the patent.
  • On March, 14th 2017, USPTO rejected new re-examination request against Celyad’s US Patent for Production of Allogeneic TCR-Deficient CAR-T Cells, confirming once more, the validity of the patent.

Annual Report 2016

Celyad will publish its audited Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2016 on or around 4 April 2017. The statutory auditor, PwC Réviseurs d’Entreprises SCCRL, represented by Patrick Mortroux, has confirmed that the audit, which is substantially complete, has not to date revealed any material misstatement in the draft consolidated financial statements, and that the accounting data reported in the press release is consistent, in all material respects, with the draft consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.

Consolidated statement of financial position

(€’000) For the year ended 31 December
  2016   2015  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS 53,440   50,105  
Intangible assets 49,566   48,789  
Property, Plant and Equipment 3,563   1,136  
Other non-current assets 311   180  
CURRENT ASSETS 85,367   109,419  
Trade and Other Receivables 1,359   549  
Grants receivables -   104  
Other current assets 1,420   1,254  
Short term investments 34,230   7,338  
Cash and cash equivalents 48,357   100,175  
TOTAL ASSETS 138,806   159,525  
EQUITY 90,885   111,473  
Share Capital 32,571   32,571  
Share premium 158,010   158,010  
Other reserves 24,329   21,205  
Retained loss (124,026 ) (100,313 )
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 36,646   36,562  
Bank loans 536    
Finance leases 381   427  
Advances repayable 7,330   10,484  
Contingent liabilities 28,179   25,529  
Post-employment benefits 204   121  
Other non current liabilities 16    
CURRENT LIABILITIES 11,275   11,490  
Bank loans 207    
Finance leases 354   248  
Advances repayable 1,108   898  
Trade payables 8,098   8,576  
Other current liabilities 1,508   1,768  
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 138,806   159,525  
         

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive loss

(€'000) For the year ended 31 December
  2016  2015
Revenues 8,523   3  
Cost of sales (53 ) (1 )
Gross profit 8,471   2  
Research and Development expenses (27,675 ) (22,766 )
General administrative expenses (9,744 ) (7,230 )
Other operating income 3,340   322  
Operating Loss (25,609 ) (29,672 )
Financial income 2,204   542  
Financial expenses (207 ) (236 )
Share of Loss of investments accounted for using the equity method -   252  
Loss before taxes (23,612 ) (29,114 )
Income taxes 6   -  
Loss for the year [1] (23,606 ) (29,114 )
Basic and diluted loss per share (in €) (2.53 ) (3.43 )
Other comprehensive loss        
Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss (107 ) 16  
Remeasurements of post-employment benefit obligations, net of tax (107 ) 16  
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss 277   485  
Currency translation differences 277   485  
Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax 170   501  
Total comprehensive loss for the year (23,436 ) (28,613 )
Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to Equity Holders [1] (23,436 ) (28,613 )

[1]For 2016 and 2015, the Group does not have any non-controlling interests and the losses for the year are fully attributable to owners of the parent.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

(€’000) Share
capital
 
Share
premium
Other
reserves
Retained
loss
Total
Equity
Balance as of 1st January 2015 24.615 53.302   19.982 (71.215 ) 26.684  
Capital increase in cash 7,607 112,104       119,711  
Capital increase (Acquisition Oncyte) 326 3,126       3,452  
Exercise of warrants 23 196       219  
Share-based payments   59   736   795  
Transaction costs associated with capital increases   (10,776 ) 0   (10,776 )
Total transactions with owners, recognized directly in equity 7,956 104,709   736 0   113,401  
Loss for the year       (29,114 ) (29,114 )
Currency Translation differences     487   487  
Remeasurements of defined benefit obligation       16   16  
Total comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year     487 (29,098 ) (28,611 )
Balance as of 1st January 2016 32,571 158,010   21,205 (100,313 ) 111,473  
Capital increase in cash          
Capital increase (Acquisition Oncyte)          
Exercise of warrants          
Share-based payments     2,848   2,848  
Transaction costs associated with capital increases          
Total transactions with owners, recognized directly in equity 0 0   2,848 0   2,848  
Loss for the year       (23,606 ) (23,606 )
Currency Translation differences     277   277  
Remeasurements of defined benefit obligation       (107 ) (107 )
Total comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year 0 0   277 (23,713 ) (23,436 )
Balance as of 31 December 2016 32.571 158,010   24,330 (124,026 ) 90,885  
                 

Consolidated statement of Cash flows

(€'000) For the year ended 31 December
  2016 2015  
Cash Flow from operating activities        
Net Loss for the year (23,606 ) (29,114 )
Non-cash adjustments        
Depreciation 760   273  
Amortisation 756   760  
Post Employment Benefit (24 ) (45 )
Deconsolidation of. CELYAD Asia Ltd. -   60  
Change in fair value valuation of Contingent liabilities 1,633      
Change in fair value valuation of RCA’s (2,154 ) (84 )
Proceeds of grants and advances (3,003 ) (1,647 )
Currency translation adjustment (144 ) (21 )
Share-based payments 2,847   795  
Change in working capital        
Trade receivables, other receivables (1,018 ) 653  
Trade payables, other payable and accruals (740 ) 1,066  
Net cash (used in)/from operations (24,692 ) (27,303 )
Cash Flow from investing activities        
Acquisitions of Property, Plant & Equipment (1,687 ) (811 )
Acquisitions of Intangible assets (95 ) (27 )
Disposals of fixed assets 78   -  
Acquisition of short term investment (34,230 ) (5,000 )
Proceeds from Short Term Investments 7,338   333  
Acquisition of BMS SA (1,560 ) -  
Acquisition of Oncyte LLC -   (5,186 )
Net cash used in investing activities (30,157 ) (10,691 )
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from borrowings 1,165   451  
Repayments of finance leases (399 ) (188 )
Proceeds from issuance of shares and exercise of warrants -   109,154  
Proceeds from RCAs & other grants 3,107   1,647  
Repayment of advances (842 ) (529 )
Net cash from financing activities 3,031   110,535  
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 100,174   27,633  
Change in net cash and cash equivalents (51,818 ) 72,542  
Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 48,357   100,175  


About Celyad

Celyad is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of specialized cell- based therapies. The Company utilizes its expertise in cell engineering to target cancer. Celyad’s Natural Killer Receptor based T-Cell (NKR-T) platform has the potential to treat a broad range of solid and hematologic tumors. Its lead oncology candidate, the CAR-T NKR-2, has been evaluated in a single dose -escalation Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and feasibility of CAR-T NKR-2 cells in patients suffering from AML or MM. This Phase I study was successfully completed in September 2016. Celyad was founded in 2007 and is based in Mont-Saint Guibert, Belgium, and Boston, Massachusetts. Celyad’s ordinary shares are listed on the Euronext Brussels and Euronext Paris exchanges, and its American Depository Shares are listed on NASDAQ Global Market, all under the ticker symbol CYAD. For more information about Celyad, please visit: www.celyad.com

About the THINK trial

THINK (THerapeutic Immunotherapy with NKR-2) is a multinational (EU/US) open-label Phase I study to assess the safety and clinical activity of multiple administrations of autologous CAR-T NKR-2 cells in seven refractory cancers, including five solid tumors (colorectal, ovarian, bladder, triple-negative breast and pancreatic cancers) and two hematological tumors (acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma). The trial will test three dose levels adjusted to body weight: up to 3x108, 1x109 and 3x109 CAR-T NKR-2 cells. At each dose, the patients will receive three successive administrations, two weeks apart, of CAR-T NKR-2 cells. The dose-escalation part of the study will enroll up to 24 patients while the extension phase would enroll 86 additional patients.

About Celyad’s NKR-T Cell Platform

Celyad is developing a unique CAR-T cell platform, using Natural Killer Receptor (NKR) transduced on to T lymphocytes. The platform targets a wide range of solid and hematological tumors. Unlike traditional CAR-T cell therapy, which target only one tumor antigen, Natural Killer (NK) cell receptors enable a single receptor to recognize multiple tumor antigens.

Celyad’s lead candidate, CAR-T NKR-2, is a CAR-T-Cell engineered to express the human NK receptor, NKG2D, which is an activating receptor. CAR-T NKR-2 triggers cell killing through the binding of NKG2D to any of eight naturally occurring ligands that are known to be overexpressed on more than 80% of tumors.

Preclinical results indicate that CAR-T NKR-2 has multiple mechanisms of actions and goes beyond direct cancer cell killing. It inhibits the mechanisms that enable tumors to evade the immune system, activates and recruit anti-tumor immune cells and disrupts the blood supply to the tumor. These mechanisms promote the induction of adaptive immunity, meaning the development of a long-term immune memory against specific tumor antigens of the targeted tumor.

In contrast to traditional CAR-T therapeutic approaches, and based on strong preclinical evidence, Celyad’s current CAR-T NKR-2 program does not use patient lymphodepleting pre-conditioning, thereby avoiding the toxicities associated with chemotherapy and allowing the immune system to remain intact.

Celyad is developing both autologous and allogeneic CAR-T NKR-2 approaches. For autologous CAR-T NKR-2, Celyad collects the patient’s own T-Cells and engineers them to express NKG2D in order to target cancer cells effectively. Celyad’s allogeneic platform engineers the T-Cells of healthy donors, to also express TCR Inhibitory Molecules (TIMs), to avoid having the donor cells rejected by the patient’s normal tissues (also called Graft vs. Host Disease).

The preclinical research underlying this technology was originally conducted at Dartmouth College by Dr. Charles Sentman and has been published extensively in peer-reviewed publications.

For more information, please contact:

For Europe: Consilium Strategic Communications
Chris Gardner and Chris Welsh -  T: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 – celyad@consilium-comms.com
For France: NewCap
Pierre Laurent and Nicolas Mérigeau -  T: + 33(0)1 44 71 94 94  - celyad@newcap.eu
For Belgium: Comfi
Gunther De Backer and Sabine Leclercq - T.: +32 (0)2 290 90 90 – celyad@comfi.be
For the U.S.: Stern Investor Relations
Will O’Connor and Michael Schaffzin – T.: +1 212.362.1200celyad@sternir.com
 

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Follow us on LinkedIn & Twitter @CelyadSA

Forward looking statements

In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward looking statements, including statements about the potential safety and feasibility of CAR-T NKR-2 cell therapy, which reflect our current expectations and projections about future events, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are further qualified by important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including risks associated with conducting clinical trials; the risk that safety, bioactivity, feasibility and/or efficacy demonstrated in earlier clinical or pre-clinical studies may not be replicated in subsequent studies; risk associated with the timely submission and approval of anticipated regulatory filings; the successful initiation and completion of clinical trials, including Phase I clinical trial for CAR-T NKR-2; risks associated with the satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; risks associated with the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; risks associated with obtaining, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, our ability to enforce our patents against infringers and defend our patent portfolio against challenges from third parties; risks associated with competition from others developing products for similar uses; risks associated with our ability to manage operating expenses; and risks associated with our ability to obtain additional funding to support our business activities and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and business initiatives. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016 and future filings and reports by the Company. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation.

 

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